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National market update

December Existing-Home Sales Show Uptrend

Washington, DC, January 20, 2012 - Existing-home sales continued on an uptrend in December, rising for three consecutive months and remaining above a year ago, according to the National Association of Realtors®. More...
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Pending Home Sales Rise Again in November, Highest in a Year-and-a-Half

Washington, DC, December 29, 2011 - Pending home sales continued to gain in November and reached the highest level in 19 months...The last time the index was higher was in April 2010 when it reached 111.5 as buyers rushed to beat the deadline for the home buyer tax credit. The data reflects contracts but not closings. More...Read more

National housing indicators

Existing home sales ()

4.61 million units*

Existing home median price ()

$164,500

Housing Starts ()

657,000 units*

New home sales ()

National economic indicators

Home ownership

3rd Qtr 11

66.3%

2nd Qtr 11

65.9%

The homeownership rate in the third quarter 2011 (66.3 percent) was lower than the third quarter 2010 rate (66.9 percent). The homeownership rates in the Midwest and South were lower than their corresponding third quarter 2010 rates.

New home sales

Nov 11

+1.6%

Oct 11

+1.3%

Sales of new single-family houses in November 2011 were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 315,000. This is 1.6 percent (+/- 12.2%)* above the revised October 2011 estimate of 310,000.

Source: U.S. CENSUS BUREAU

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Regional market updates

View market statistics for your region.

Click on the links below to view data from two different industry sources. Choose information on local prices & state sales from any of 178 metropolitan housing markets prepared by the National Association of REALTORS® or information on sales & price activity from local area markets in 25 states prepared by Clarus MarketMetrics.

Local Sales & Price Activity

Oscar Hernandez

Home Ownership matters…to people, to communities, and to America. Why? • For every two homes sold, one job is created in the U.S. • Each purchase generates as much as $60,000 in economic activity over time. Read more

Buying is now cheaper than renting in 74 percent of the nation’s largest cities. Low home prices and “rock-bottom” interest rates as well as tax advantages of homeownership are the reasons why it’s now cheaper to BUY a 2-bdrm home than to rent one. Check out this CNN Money article with the details. Read more

Disclaimer: The views, opinions, statements and/or ideas expressed in this Message Section do not reflect the ideas, policy, position, views or opinion of Move,Inc.

Consumer tips & hot properties

2011 Energy Tax Credits: What You Need to Know to Collect

They’re not as much as they used to be, but there are still energy tax credits to be had for upgrades made in 2011. More...
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8 Small Space Solutions for Shared Kids' Rooms

If your brood is growing but your house isn’t, try these 8 ideas for shared kids’ rooms that will give your wild bunch space for storage, sleeping, and playing. More...
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Top 3 Most Common Home Defects to Check For

Top three home defects that every buyer and seller should check for before making an offer, or putting a home on the market. More...Read more

Home Security Cameras: Peace of Mind While You’re Away

Easy-to-install security cameras let you keep an eye on your home from afar, ensuring safety and security for you and your family. More...Read more

Winter Gardening: Plants that Provide Beauty All Year Round

Just because your garden is dormant for the winter doesn’t mean you should snooze, too. Experienced gardeners do their dreaming — and planning — when the snow flies. So while you’re thinking of blossoms and butterflies, be sure to add trees and shrubs that look great even in snow. More...
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Housing Trends eNewsletter is filled with U.S. Census Bureau key market indicators, consumer videos, blogs, a real estate glossary, mortgage rates and calculators, consumer articles, real estate radio, realtor.com® local community reports and local and national real estate sales and price activity provided by local MLSs and the National Association of REALTORS®.

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